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Downtown Design Services The Georgia Main Street staff is trained to assist in this effort by recognizing opportunities and developing design solutions that stimulate interest and investment. For a nominal fee, the design assistance is available for Main Street communities both large and small.

Please review their menu options, and let one of the designers from DCA’s Downtown Design Studio speak to you about your next downtown project.

Georgia Cities Foundation was established in 1999 by the Georgia Municipal Association as a 501(c)(3) organization. In December 2010, the Foundation was designated as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) by the United States Department of the Treasury’s CDFI Fund. In 2008, the Foundation was awarded the Main Street Ally Award from the National Trust Main Street Center.

The mission of the Foundation is to assist cities in their community development efforts to revitalize and enhance under served downtown areas, by serving as a partner and facilitator in funding capital projects, and by providing training and technical assistance.

Downtown Development Revolving Loan Fund the goal of the DD RLF is to assist cities, counties and development authorities in their efforts to revitalize and enhance downtown areas by serving as a partner and facilitator in funding capital projects in the core historic downtown area and the adjacent historic neighborhoods where DD RLF will spur commercial redevelopment.

Since 1999, this fund has helped finance projects in Downtown’s across the state, helping property owners, local governments and entire communities rebuild, reuse and preserve pieces of our state’s heritage and history.

Eligible Applicants: Eligible applicants under this program shall be municipalities with a population of 100,000 or less, counties with a population of 100,000 or less proposing projects in a core historic commercial area, and development authorities proposing projects in a core historic commercial area in municipalities or counties with a population of 100,000 or less. The ultimate user of funds may be a private business or a public entity such as a city or development authority.Loan Amounts: The maximum loan is $250,000 per project, not to exceed 40% of total eligible project costs.Eligible Use: Applicants must demonstrate that they have a viable downtown development project and clearly identify the proposed uses of the loan proceeds. Once approved, funds may be used for such activities as: real estate acquisition, development, redevelopment, and new construction; rehabilitation of public and private infrastructure and facilities; purchase of equipment and other assets (on a limited basis).
Loan Terms: Interest rates are below-market with Main Street cities currently receiving a 2% rate and all other cities receiving a 3% rate. Repayment period is typically ten years with a fifteen-year amortization. Security is usually project collateral and personal guarantees. For more information, click hereApplication: Applications are accepted throughout the year. Application